PEIA to vote Thursday on benefits plan

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Employees Insurance Agency Finance Board is scheduled to vote Thursday on the 2018-2019 benefits plan, with a number of possible revisions to the originally submitted plan.

The current proposal would change the cost of prescription drugs from a $25 or $30 co-pay to a 30 percent payment. It also would include a two percent premium increase for non-state employees and retirees, as well as a half-percent rate increase for active state employees.

The number salary tiers would decrease from 10 to three, and a “pay by person” rate addition would be included.

PEIA executive Ted Cheatam said last month he would propose changes to the prescription drug policy because some prescription drugs do not have generic substitutes. Cheatham said one option involves a partnership with CVS Pharmacy to assure people can afford their needed medication.

Cheatham told a legislative interim committee Sunday he would also propose dropping the “pay by person” proposal in exchange for keeping the flat family rate, as well as altering the three-tier proposal in regards to salaries, or having five or 10 tiers.